TJ Williams

vowels

If your daily activities were unknowingly being monitored, what would others see? Would they see an unprecedented level of productivity or would they assume you to be a telemarketer due to the many hours you spend on the phone each day? Would they see your ability to multitask and willingness to help others or would they think you were Mark Zuckerberg’s employee of the month?

Some years ago, a dear friend of mine was unknowingly being watched (in a good way). Here’s her story…

She worked for a small business. Because of the values her parent’s instilled in her, there was nothing she was unwilling to do. Her humble spirit led her to do many things others deemed beneath them. She arrived early and willingly stayed late. She was qualified to handle financial matters, but would make coffee and answer phones with just as much passion. Her employer appreciated her and respected her decision to go back to school after working with them for about five years.

Since that day, more than three years have passed.

My friend recently received a phone call. The voice on the other end asked, “Is this ______?” She positively responded. The caller went on to say, “You don’t know me but more than seven years ago, you worked in a building across the street from my office. I often saw you opening the office in the mornings and leaving late in the evenings. There were days I watched you do things that many in my office would have never done. Your demeanor always seemed pleasant. Years ago, I told my boss, ‘We need to hire her. We need people like that at our company. Well today, I am the boss.'” There was silence. My friend asked, “How do you know all these things? How did you see me?” The caller told my friend from one of the windows in his building, he could see directly into the area where she once worked. The call ended with an interview being scheduled to determine if my friend would be a good fit for one of their current openings.

After making sure this person was not stalking my friend, I stood in awe of her story. A window of opportunity. My friend shared a lot of memories from her previous workplace. I marveled at the fact that although every day was not “a bed of roses,” my friend remained focused and sought to be “light” even if she had to shine alone.

Often we respond to life according to the manner in which it treats us. But my friend’s example of operating in excellence at all times is a great lesson for us all. She never knew anyone was watching, but her dedication created a window of opportunity that she never saw coming.

In the days, week, and months ahead, remember 2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

We never know when it will come, but make sure the view through your window of opportunity is deserving of a reward.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VISION NOW…Registration ends this Friday!

Ladies,
If you are anything like me, you grew up watching your parents work hard doing the same job for 20 or 30+ years, whether they enjoyed it or not. They then retired (in their 60’s), breathed a sigh of relief, and said, “Now it’s time to enjoy life.”

But I don’t think that was ever God’s intention when He created us.

One of the reasons I am hosting VISION NOW is because I believe NOW is the time to enjoy life. NOW is the time to do what we have been called to do. NOW is not at the beginning of the year. NOW is not when the kids graduate.

I know you are wondering what in the world is she talking about??? But all of us have one. Some of us admit and deal with our “this”. Some of us tip toe around our “this”. Some of us act as if our “this” does not even exist. “This” is simply your greatest opposition. What keeps you from successfully moving forward? When you take one step forward, what is the opposing force that causes you to take two steps back? Your “this” may be internal or external, but if “this” has hindered you from trying, achieving, or succeeding, then “this” has got to go! It’s a new year and we are taking over new territory! But the only way we will continue to thrive is to handle our “this” like….Joshua.

Let’s go back to Joshua 7.

Joshua had to make a decision. His men had just been defeated in a battle that should have been unproblematic. Several lost their lives, while others fled in fear. The opposition was real. The opposition had gained the upper hand. The opposition was now experiencing the victory which had been promised to Joshua. And Joshua wanted to know why!

When he went to God for an answer, God was straight with him. Not only did God tell him why he and his men had been defeated, God also made this profound statement, “I will not stay with you any longer unless you completely rid yourselves of ‘this’ sin.” Yes, God made it very clear. Joshua’s choices were “this” or God. So how did Joshua respond? Scripture says, “Early the next morning…” Joshua wasted no time in identifying or calling out his opposition. He was not going to rest until he figured out what “this” was. Nothing was going to separate Joshua from the God whom he knew as faithful, provider, sustainer, deliverer, and way maker.

So we already know how the situation ended. It was Achan. Achan was Joshua’s “this”. Achan’s inability to follow God’s instructions positioned him as Joshua’s opposition. Two who once walked together were no longer in agreement and “this” was an issue.

Joshua was relentless until he pinpointed his “this”, but what about you? Who or what is your opposition? Let me be very clear. Contrary to Joshua’s “this” being external, often our opposition is internal. The opposition may be fear, the need for approval, the past, pride, lack of focus, even ineffective communication. The list could go on and on, but the point is…Whatever your opposition or your “this”, be like Joshua and call it out. Don’t allow “this” to stifle your drive and determination. Don’t allow “this” to keep you in a place of mediocrity. And definitely don’t let “this” separate you from your Father. I love the fact that Joshua actually took it a step further. After calling “this” out, Joshua made sure it was destroyed!

A wise woman once told me confession is good for the soul. So today, I choose to be like Joshua. I am calling out my “this”. My greatest opposition in moving forward has been my “sight”, until today! This year, I willing choose to walk by faith and not by sight. No longer will I wait until all conditions are right, until I have it all together, or until I can see how to make it happen. The very thing that has been an opposition much of my life, I release “this” today!

What is your “this”? Call it out! I challenge you to be brave enough to destroy it. When you do, the opposition is defeated and we stand victorious! Be like Joshua because when it comes down to God or “this”, “this” must lose every time!

Ok…now that I have stopped running and shouting about the vowel “A”, I am ready to dive into the vowel “E” (refer to last week’s post if you missed “A”). So I asked God, “Ok, You have me excited about the vowel “A”, what should I expect for “E”? Then God asked me, “What do you expect?” I was puzzled for a moment, but then it was almost as if I heard Him chuckle as He revealed, “My child, ‘E’ is for expect.”

I was ready! I knew what I expected from God. I’ve mentioned previously that at the beginning of each year, my husband and I create a “By Faith” List. It lists all the things we are believing God for. We list things like salvation for family and friends who don’t know Christ. We list healing for those who are sick. We even list personal expectations that we know are impossible without God’s direction, help, and intervention. So like I said, I was ready. But before I could begin to utter #1 on the list, God told me, “No, my child. The vowel ‘E’ will teach you what to expect when you go across and what I expect of you.” Although this was contrary to my thoughts, I was ready to hear what He had to say. Going across is the only option for me this year. I’m moving forward and knowing what to do or look for once I’m across is like icing on the cake.

So I went back to the book of Joshua and here’s what I noticed:

Greater Faith was ExpectedAt the Red Sea, Moses held out his staff and parted the sea for the people to go across on dry ground. At the Jordan River, the priest, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, were required to get their feet wet. But once in, the waters were pushed back and again dry ground created the perfect path. Once inside the promised land, the wall of Jericho was a little different. No outstretched staff. No physical evidence for the people before this miracle took place. Greater faith was expected. Each day that they walked around the wall, there was no indication that their efforts would work, but they remained consistent. Even when they could not see the hand of God changing things on their behalf, they trusted the heart of God.

Expect The Enemy To Be Waiting
Finally, after 40 long years, the Israelites entered the land flowing with milk and honey only to find battles waiting on the other side. And although the enemy had already heard about them and their victory was guaranteed as long as they followed the Lord’s commands, they still had to fight.

Expect the Lord to be with You Joshua was committed to God and God was committed to him. Multiple times throughout the book of Joshua you read, “And the Lord said to Joshua” or “So the Lord was with Joshua”. What you constantly find is Joshua receiving instructions from God, then communicating them to the people, the people obeying, victory attained, followed by God’s approval of their actions. Although there was a time when all the people did not obey (we’ll talk about that next week!) and once when Joshua failed to ask the Lord for direction, God’s expectation of Joshua remained intact and so did Joshua’s.

I absolutely love this preparation period! Now let me ask, which one of the 3 points really spoke to your heart? #1 is still tugging at my me simply because I am still learning not to be so dependent on sight. I invite you to join me as I continue reading the book of Joshua. I promise you’ll love it too!

Next week, more insight from the vowel “I”. And no, that’s not what “I” stands for…lol!